The Waitaki Story

We know the world needs more Waitaki. So we're developing the Waitaki Story to help share our stories with the world and the people who call this place home...

What is the Waitaki Story for?

The Waitaki Story is part of, and underpins, the work being done on a Waitaki Brand and Identity.

The story is a resource that anyone or any organisation in the district can use as much as they like - and by doing so make Waitaki better appreciated locally, around New Zealand and internationally.

If people or groups want to link their stories to the Waitaki Story, all good. But if they prefer not to, that’s fine too.

The important thing is that our stories are told, and people know some of the extraordinary things that have happened, and are still happening, in this amazing corner of the world.

Watch some locals talk about the Waitaki Story

Our Story

Challenges and challengers. Resilience and connection. These are the threads of the Waitaki story, braided together like the rivers that run through our lands and our lives.

People find their feet here, carving their stories from the land. There’s a unique way of living that’s possible in Waitaki. One that’s hard to find anywhere else. Because time and space are different here.

People build a meaningful life here, under the brilliant light of the southern stars, where braided rivers flow from ancient mountains to the vast Pacific Ocean.

And people find deep connection here, to their past and their present, to the communities and their histories.

These threads of the Waitaki story wind through centuries. Threads of adversity and innovation. Of conflict and harmony. And we’re good with that, because Waitaki is a place where things come into balance.

But the most important thread of all is potential. It’s always been there and it’s only getting stronger. It’s the thread that will pull us forward into the future.

Waitaki. It’s about time.

How did we develop the story?

In October 2023 we invited locals to a ‘Community Conversation’. We asked you what you loved about Waitaki, and about your town, and you talked about the challenges facing your communities. You can read some of what we learnt here.

Since then we've been working on the Waitaki Story – a project we’ve developed with the help of your feedback, alongside engagement with communities and stakeholders around the district. We've talked to representatives from Te Rūnaka o Moeraki, small business, farming, education, historians, architecture, tourism, real estate, youth, Pasifika community, academics, Council, Waitaki Whitestone Geopark, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and Tourism Waitaki.

We've looked at other strategies and plans, and researched many sources including our museum and archives and Kāi Tahu’s Kā Huru Manu atlas.

We couldn't talk to everyone and we haven't covered everything! The first step was to pull together all this research and pull out the common themes. This is the start of a long journey that we're only just embarking on.

Read more of the story, themes and development here: The Waitaki Story

How can you get involved?

We've hosted eight further Community Conversations about the Waitaki Story around the district this November and now we're sharing the Story and developement with everyone who couldn't make it along.

We’re keen to hear your local stories and your ideas on how and where we could bring the ‘Waitaki Story’ to life in your town.

The first application of the Waitaki identity will be replacing the district's tired entry and township signage. So we’re gathering your thoughts on this as well.

Below, you can share your local stories from wherever you are in the Waitaki District, your thoughts on signage for where you live, or use our map tool to share a story about somewhere special to you.